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4 results for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Helping to explain low energy and stamina levels, we take a look at the spoon theory.

For some people, energy and stamina is taken for granted. It’s something we have seemingly endless amounts of, and spend little time dwelling over. For those with disabilities like lupus, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome however, it is limited.

A growing number of people with conditions like this are using spoons to quantify how they feel on any given day. Energy levels can’t be measured scientifically, so the spoon unit of measurement is a fun way to explain things.

So, why spoons?

Cutlery entered the picture back in 2003 when Christine Miserandino was trying to explain what it’s like to live with lupus to her friend. At the time they were in a cafe, so Christine used spoons as her props.

She counted out 12 spoons and explained that everyday tasks like eating breakfast and getting dressed would cost her X amount of spoons. She gave her friend the spoons and asked her to describe an average day, taking away the...

People of all ages can develop the ME illness which affects every aspect of their daily lives. For those in school, keeping up with lessens and homework can be a constant struggle, while those of working age may find it impossible to commit to employment.

Keep reading in order to better understand ME, and what it is like for those living with the condition.

ME is relentless

There are good days and bad days when it comes to ME, but the symptoms are relentless. Chronic fatigue is overwhelming and much more severe than standard fatigue. Many sufferers describe symptoms as flu-like.

Penelope Friday, an ME sufferer and blogger for the Huffington Post explains:

According to scientists, web-based treatment for teenagers suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) could prove more effective than traditional face-to-face psychotherapy methods.

A recent study undertaken by a group of Dutch researchers and published in journal The Lancet has revealed that individuals who were given psychotherapy treatment over the internet had reported a recovery almost eight times better than individuals who underwent standard care.

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains unknown, but what is clear is that treatment methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can have a postivie effect in certain cases.

However, whilst the therapy can prove a powerful treatment method, it may be inaccessible to some CFS sufferers.

With this in mind, a group of researchers developed an online psychotherapy programme called Fitnet, the idea of which was to replicate fact-to-face CBT, with a qualified therapist waiting...

New research suggests that counselling and exercise could help to reverse the effects of the chronic fatigue syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). A groundbreaking study, funded by The Medical Research Council, revealed that 60 per cent of the sufferers of the condition improved significantly if they were put on a customised exercise programme or were offered talking therapy.

Professor Michael Sharpe, co-author of the Pacing, Activity, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Evaluation (PACE) study, said that the results should act to end the controversy over the treatments, as some patient groups insist that exercise does more harm than good. However, half of the patients in the study reported returning to normal energy levels.

Professor Sharpe said, “Our hope is the evidence from this trial, which is the largest trial done in this condition, gives some solid evidence about what treatments help and importantly that those treatments are safe. People have quite rightly been...